Richard Velasco Ceja Sr.

Richard Velasco Ceja Sr.
Richard V. Ceja Sr., 68, passed away Monday February 1, 2010. A lifelong resident of the Central Coast, Richard will always be remembered as a loving father and devoted family man. He loved his family, cared for them and was in turn cared for until his death by those closest to him, his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Richard was born on August 7, 1941 in Guadalupe and later moved to Nipomo. He attended school in Nipomo and graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 1960. He then met and married Margarita (Maggie) Hernandez, who remained his devoted wife and friend until her passing. Together they raised three sons Joey, Richard Jr. (Aggie) and Aaron in Santa Maria.
When not involved in community service according to his beliefs he enjoyed camping trips with his family and fishing. In spite of loosing an eye in a childhood accident, leaving his visually impaired, Richard loved to play basketball and was quite good at it. He also enjoyed bowling and even though he could not see the pins he aimed for the light at the end of the lane and would win every time! These are just a few of many fond memories he has left to his family.
Richard was preceded in death by his father Ernesto H. and mother Maria Velasco Ceja, his brother Ernesto V. Ceja, his sister Dolores Ceja, his beloved wife Maggie Hernandez Ceja, and his son Richard Jr. He is survived by his remaining children Joey Ceja, Aaron Ceja and grandson Joey Ceja Jr., his brothers and their wives, Anastacio V. and Karen Ann Ceja, Raul V. and Minga Ceja, Robert V. and Karen Ceja and Ruben V. and Virgie Ceja, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews and their children and many friends made through the years. As brother, father, cousin, uncle and friend he will be remembered and missed.
And though age, time circumstance took their toll and caused him to falter in his beliefs during the latter years of his life, they were not lost. As he once expressed to a close friend they were there, in his heart. In his heart he believed the words of a favorite song, which speaks of time, "When eyes of blind ones see again and ears of deaf ones hear again...And all good things would never cease...Then too you'll see the dead arise, if you keep your eyes on the prize.